Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Riv… Read Full Bio ↴Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Rivera has balanced a career in Latin jazz with commissions as a classical composer and appearances with symphony orchestras. Classical New Jersey wrote, "whether playing Bach or post-bop, D'Rivera's mastery of the instruments and their expressive capabilities is unquestionable". D'Rivera inherited his understanding of music from his father, Tito, a classical saxophonist and conductor. At the age of five, D'Rivera began being tutored in musical theory by his father. Within a year, he was playing well enough to be paid as a musician. By the age of seven, he became the youngest musician to endorse a musical instrument (Selmer saxophones). Three years later, he performed with the National Theater Orchestra of Havana. Although he initially played soprano saxophone, D'Rivera switched to the alto after teaching himself to play via the book, Jimmy Dorsey Saxophone Method: A School of Rhythmic Saxophone Playing. Strengthening his knowledge of music and playing techniques, D'Rivera began studying at the Havana Conservatory of Music in 1960. In 1965, D'Rivera became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.

On Green Dolphin Street
Paquito D'Rivera Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
Romance was the theme
And we were the players
I never think of this without a sigh

Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay

Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street

Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart

When I recall the love I found on
On Green Dolphin Street

Overall Meaning

The song "On Green Dolphin Street" by Paquito D'Rivera is a nostalgic reflection on a past romance. The lyrics describe a dreamlike experience of falling in love and the subsequent heartbreak. The setting is Green Dolphin Street, which provides a romantic and unforgettable backdrop for the couple's memories.

The opening line of the song, "It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened" sets the scene for the bittersweet memories that follow. The singer remembers the man, the maid, the kiss, and the goodbye, emphasizing the transience of their love affair. The theme of romance is the focus, and the couple themselves are "the players" in this brief interlude of passion.

The refrain, "Lover, one lovely day," reinforces the intensity of the singer's emotions. Green Dolphin Street is not merely a location but a character in the story, supplying the setting for their brief but memorable love affair. The phrase "nights beyond forgetting" suggests that even though the couple is no longer together, the memory of those passionate nights remains etched in their hearts.

In short, "On Green Dolphin Street" is a wistful and melancholy tribute to a past love. The song speaks to the universal experience of falling in love and the pain of losing it. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, longing, and regret for what could have been.

Line by Line Meaning

It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened
Although it feels like a surreal experience, I can confirm that it actually occurred.

A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
The situation involved a man, a woman, a moment of intimacy and then a farewell.

Romance was the theme
The central focus of the event was love and passion.

And we were the players
The man and woman involved were the key participants in the romantic experience.

I never think of this without a sigh
Whenever I recall this memory, it inevitably brings a sense of longing and nostalgia.

Lover, one lovely day
Addressing the object of his affection, he reminisces about a wonderful, seemingly perfect day.

Love came, planning to stay
Love arrived in his life, with the intention of being a long-lasting presence.

Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The location of this romantic encounter was Green Dolphin Street.

The setting for nights beyond forgetting
The memory of this location and the events that occurred there are indelibly etched in his mind.

And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
Even during long periods of separation, the memories of this time and place remain vivid in his mind.

When I recall the love I found on
Reflecting on the love that he discovered during this period of time.

I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
The location of this memory is so precious to him that he would be willing to express his gratitude for it in a physical way.

On Green Dolphin Street
Reiterating the importance of this location to the romantic experience he has recounted.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Tratore, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER, NED WASHINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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